KymcoForum.com
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Stig / Major Tom on June 08, 2017, 10:24:39 AM
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Really? Before every ride?
Sad to say, I only get down there and wrestle a tire gauge onto the tire valve stem too infrequently. Maybe every few months.
Why?
Doing so always loses some air...so have to get out the electric pump and wrestle that fitting onto the nipple....which loses more air.
One cannot see the tire shape when sitting on the scooter, unless you're using a mirror or a camera. Looking at tires when my weight is not on the scooter tells me next to nothing.
Very fortunately the rims and tires on my scooters are of such quality that they never lose air.....unless I check them !
I have a right angle fitting on my gauge, but still lose some air when mucking about with it. And pump has that dumb clamp thing that does not want to fit in a scooter wheel.
What are you guys doing?
Stig
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I do it approx. every month during riding season.
And I experience the same issues you described here. ;D
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Once a week or so, or before the ride if its' been more than a week (I ride pretty much daily but do have two bikes)
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Ha, I had this very same experience. I ran out and purchased a tire pressure gauge with a clock-face meter attachment that shows psi and metric pressures. The first time I put it on, I had to do it 3 times, which pretty much flattened the tire. After I figured it out (depress the pressure release valve on gauge before removing from the tire), I pumped the tire back up as hard as possible, then checked again. It was at almost 30 psi (25 is recommended), so I let a bit out, and it was pretty much right on.
Lesson I learned: 1. Know the gauge mechanics; 2. Do it quick! And no way would I do it before every ride. I will likely check for damage, embedded stuff, etc. But I feel your pain.
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From time to time, I happen to pull up at a market and am able to view my scooter's reflection in the front window.
If close enough, I Do look at the tires and their inflation footprint.
redk
and it does make me laugh to see Me on the Brite Yellow Banana !
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I check pressure about every 3-4 weeks and it is usually just fine. The rear tire on the Like is a problem because it is a vertical type valve and my gauge is straight in. When I check it some air escapes so that I need to refill some air. To offset this I overfill and then re-check and set it for the factory setting. When I replace the rear tire I will probably have a right angle valve.
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Excellent plan !
Angled valve stems for tubeless rims are even available thru wallyworld !
There's a Huge selection of them on the web with a google search.
redk
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I don't check them all that regularly but I like having installed the Bridgeport right angle aluminum valve stems. I have a very nice compressor from California Air Tools also which I can have a normal conversation while it's running.
(https://www.motomummy.com/images/products/secondary/bridgeport9011-6.jpg)
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I check em about once a month with my Joe Blow mountain bike pump with included gauge.
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I check the tires when there is a big change in Temp, cold to hot to much preasure,. hot to cold to little . 8 degree this morning to 30 this afternoon
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Depends on the temperature and the time of the year. I do it more in the fall and winter as my pressure goes down with lower temperatures. I do it in the summer if my wife and I have done a lot of 2-up riding, or just by how the bike feels in different situations, especially on slow turns. My recent problem is my favorite gas station has changed their air pump nozzle so it's no longer possible to use it on my bike. This kind of sucks because their air pump was free. Now I have to seek out other stations that have pumps that fit, but that also means I have to pay of for it.
My garage doesn't have any electricity, and getting a manual pump isn't appealing. I may have to talk with the guys at my go to gas stop.
- Wolf
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TLAR=That Looks About Right. Works with a lot of things besides tires. Now I use the Steel Mate TPMS readout. Use the tire gauge on wife's scoot since she rides every 6 months witout fail.
Karl
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My routine was similar to Stig's. Now I pump the tires before checking. About 10 or so pumps. I then use a stick tire gauge and check the pressure. Most times it's simply a matter of letting out some air. The trick is to just release a little air at a time. It takes all of 5 minutes to do the front and rear tires.
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I tend to check it every week. Or if I'm expecting to ride at high speeds.
I use my Tekton digital gauge which is pretty easy to get a good seal. And I use a floor pump, also a Joe Blow that's been quite reliable (and I vaguely remember having a pretty accurate gauge). No issues fitting either onto the valves, and it takes very little pumping to correct the pressure.
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I used to have an inexpensive stick gauge, and it turned out to be quite inaccurate.
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Since I only ride my scoot once every other wek or so I check it before each ride. Better safe than sorry...and I found I can easily add air with my bike pump....no more plugging in my noisy compressor just to add a few pounds of air. (Also use my bike pump for motorcycle and recently used it on minivan...works just fine)
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I check em about once a month with my Joe Blow mountain bike pump with included gauge.
If I got more than a few flats that I can count, other than the dirtbike rampage, I think I might carry a small patch kit and a mtnbike pump somewhere on my scooter, especially if going for a longer ride out across the desert. Not a place I want to sit around waiting for assistance.
redk
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I check mine every couple of weeks or before a long ride. I have several bikes with clearance challenges for accessing the Schrader valves so I need a few different gauges and one straight and one angled quick fitting for my compressor. On long trips I always have a plug kit and a can of Fix-a-Flat.
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(Also use my bike pump for motorcycle and recently used it on minivan...works just fine)
I also use my floor pump on minivan tires. All four of them have slow leaks, so I correct them every ride. It seems to be exactly 10 pumps per psi.
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I also use my floor pump on minivan tires. All four of them have slow leaks, so I correct them every ride. It seems to be exactly 10 pumps per psi.
Same here. I have found that my Joe Blow large volume bicycle pump works on just about everything. And its simple and accurate.
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I go to Discount Tire for this. I have my tires checked every five weeks. It is free.
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I go to Discount Tire for this. I have my tires checked every five weeks. It is free.
Problem there is your tires are already hot. Not killer of course, I've filled hot tires to spec more than a few times, but them's what's fussy would naysay ya on that.
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I bought a $20 electric (12 volt) tire pump (named "Slime) at Pepboys that has a surprisingly accurate pressure gauge on it and when I clamp it on the valve stem I know the pressure then, and as I add air. I power it with my battery charger or plug it into a cig lighter (my GV 250 has a 12 volt socket for cell phone charger) and it makes tire pressure maintenance almost fun. It measures 7"by7" by 3" and weighs about two pounds. It even has a bright spot light on it. The name alone makes it a winner.